Apparatus for cutting book match



Nov. 22, 1949 s. E. RAHE 2,489,153

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING BOOK MATCH SPLINTS Filed oct. 2o, 1943 2 sheets-'sheet 1 OO OQOO *n 47 Il .mum 4g E ,l @e gz /10 )l INVENTOR.

Jamai! dit Nov. 22, 1949 s. E. RAHE APPARATUS FOR CUTTING BOOK MATCH SPLINTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed OCT'. 20, `1.945

INVENTOR. 21mm/Z Jazr Patented Nov. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CUTTING BOOK MATCH SPLINTS This invention relates to devices for forming match splints and relates more particularly to devices for cutting and crimping book match splints preparatory to dipping and assembling the splints into book form.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and effective cutting device which is capable of severing match blanks into a plurality of connected or unconnected splints.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting device by means of Which book match splints can be cut at a higher speed than is possible With devices of the types heretofore known.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simplied cutter member having a plurality of blades that can be removed and replaced easily without completely dis-assembling the cutter member.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device which is capable of cutting and crimping wooden book match splints Without danger ci splitting or buckling the match blanks.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a typical form of device embodying the present invention.

Devices of the type embodying the present invention are characterized by the inclusion of a hopper for receiving a stack of thin sheets of wood, hereinafter called match blanks, from which the individual blanks can be ejected one by one. Adjacent the hopper is a cutting member having a slot or passageway therethrough for receiving the match blanks as they are ejected from the hopper. Extending across or spanning the slot or passageway are a plurality of knife blades for cutting the blank along a plurality of spaced parallel lines to form the splints. Preferably, the knife blades are disposed wholly within the periphery of the cutting member and are so arranged that when the match blank is passed into the slot it is only partially severed.

The cutting member is rotatably mounted so that the match blanks are introduced into the slot of the cutting member alternately from opposite ends thereof. As a result, a previously inserted and partially severed match blank is ejected backWardly from the slot by the next succeeding match blank without completely severering the splints.

The splints connected by the web may then be received in a suitable crimping member which separates or spreads the free ends of the splints and delivers the splints to a dipping machine where they may be dipped and later delivered to a ma- 2 If desired, the cutting member can be arranged so that it is not rotated and the match blanks, therefore, Will be pushed completely through the cutting member with the result that the splints are completely separated from each other.

More particularly, the cutting member suitably may have end plates which are provided with stub shafts for supporting the cutting member rotatably and is provided with a plurality of spacer members between which the knife blades are supported. The whole assembly may be clamped by means of bolts or the like so that the knife blades can be inserted or removed simply by loosening the assembly so that the blades will drop out of the device, thereby permitting their ready replacement when they become dull.

The device may be arranged to include cutting members on opposite sides of the hopper so that a match blank is severed partially or completely upon each stroke of the mechanism that is utilized to push the match blanks from the hopper. Suc-h an arrangement has the advantage of permitting substantially twice as many match blanks to be severed in a given period of time as with the devices of the type known heretofore.

The device embodying the present invention is particularly adapted to the formation of wooden book match splints for the reason that the slot in the cutting member has a tendency to confine and prevent buckling or breakingpf the thin match blanks.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a typical form of device embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in section taken on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the device; l

Figure 4 is a View in cross-section taken on line 4--4 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of a typical form of cutting member embodying the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a vieW in cross-section of a cutting member, showing a modified type of cutting element.

The form of the invention chosen to illustrate the invention consists of a frame l0 having par allel side members Il and I2 housing the operatn ing mechanism of the device and supporting the various cooperating elements thereof.

Substantially midway of the side members il chine for assembling the blanks into book form. y and l2 is mounted an elongated rectangular hopn per I3 which is adapted to receive a stack of match blanks B. The match blanks B may vary in size, as desired. For example, the blanks B may be of a size suitable for only one conventional size book match package or they may be of a length suiiicient to form the splints for ten or more book match packages.

The hopper I3 is provided with a bottom plate I4 forming the upper side or top of a chamber I 5 which may be subjected to a reduced pressure by means of a vacuum pump (not shown) connected to the coupling I 6 in the bottom thereof. The bottom plate I 4 is provided with a. plurality of perforations I4'a through which suction may be exerted on the bottom blank B of the stack, to draw it against the bottom of the hopper.

The side walls I1 and IB of the hopper may be provided with slots Illa and lila through which the match blanks B are ejected by means of a pusher plate or ejector I9. The pusher plate I9 is adapted to slide back and forth across the bot- 1.10m I4 so that upon movement to the right, it will eject a blank B to the right, and upon movement to the left, it will eject a blank- B to the left. The pusher plate I9 is actuated by means of a yoke member 29 having a slot 2 I in each of its arms 22 and 23 which receive the reduced eXten-4 sions 24 on opposite ends of the pusher plate I9. The extensions 24 are received in slots I Ia and |20, in the frame members II and I2, respectively,v which guide and prevent chattering and Wobbling of the pusher plate I9.

The chamber I is supported upon arms 25A projecting from a cross-bar 26 connected tothe side members I I and I2 so that the ends of the chamber I5 are spaced from the side members II and I2 a suliicient distance to permit the arms 22 and 23` of the yoke to pass between the ends of; the chamber I5 and the side members II and I2.

Upon opposite sides of the hopper I3 are dis-. posed cutting members 21 and 23 which are identical in construction. The cutting member 21, as illustrated in Figures l, 2 and 5, consists of a, pair of disk-,like end plates 29 and 39 having the stub; shafts 3l and 32 projecting therefroml that are received rotatably in the journals 33 and 34 in the side members I I and I2, respectively,

A plurality of pairs of spacer members 35 are mounted between the end plates 29 andl 30. The. number of pairs of spacer members 35 corresponds to the number of match splints that are to, be formed in the blank. As shown particularly in Eigure 2, the spacer members 3,5A may consist of, substantially semi-circular plates hav-ingl their inner edges 35a. spaced apart to `provide a sloty 36 for receiving the match blank B. While the spacer elements 35 are illustrated as semi-.circular in shape, it will be understood that they do not have to be of this shape, nor do the endl plates 29 and 30 have to be disk-like or circular. They may take the form of polygonal gures, if desired, or other non-circular shapes so long as the axisof rotation of the cutter member 21 is in the plane of the slot 33 and the slot 33 is in alignmentwith the slot I1a in the hopper.

As shown particularly in Figure 2,V the cutting elements or blades 31 which are mounted be.- tWeen the spacer elements 35 may be similarto conventional ilexible double-edged razor` blades, that is, theyhave cutting edges facing in opposite directions so that they are capable of severing; or partially severing the match blanks B, regardless of the direction that the blank B is forced intoy the slot 36. The blades 31 are clampedbetween the spacer members 35 by means of a plurality ofv 4 bolts 38 which pass through the end plates 29, 39 and the spacer members 35. Thus, upon loosening of the bolts 38, one or more of the blades 31 can be removed and replaced, if necessary.

The blades 31 can be of shapes other than rectangular, if desired. Thus, as shown in Figure 6, the blades 39 are sharp-edged disks of smaller diameter than the end plates 29 and 39. Two of the blades 39 may be mounted between the spacing members 35 in spaced relation. Similarly, single-edged blades or triangular blades may be used, if desired.

Referring now to Figure 2, it Will be seen that when the pusher plate I9 has ejected a match blank B to the left from the hopper I 3, the blank B will be pushed partially through the slot 36 so that the blank B is received wholly within the periphery of the cutting member 23. The blank B, in this position, is only partially severed into splints that are connected by a continuous web portion of the blank.

Upon movement of the pusher member I9 to the right, a match blank is ejected through the right-hand slotI I8a into the cutter member 21 which, as illustrated, already contains a partially severed match blank B. However, the unsevered or web portion of the match blank B in this case is directed to the right for the reason that the cutter 21 has been rotated through one-half av revolution since it last received a matchA blank B. The incoming match blank B, therefore, will push the blank B that is within the cutter 21,

out of the cutter 21, Without completing severanceY of the blank B` Within the cutter 21. Thus, the action of the cutting members 21 and 28 is to receive a blank from one side, then rotate and lreceive a blank from the opposite side, which action causes the ejection of the rst severed match blank. Of course, if the cutting members 21 and 28 are not rotated between feeding strokes of thel pusher member 9, the match blanks B will be pushed completely through the cutting member and the blanks B will be severed into individual splints.

In order to clamp and separate the splints in the partially severed blank, crimping devices 40 and 4I are mounted on opposite sides of the cutter members 21 and 23. Each of these crimping members may consist of a bottom plateV member;

4,2k having grooves 43 and 44 for receiving, the

rails 45 and 46, respectively, on the inner surfaces of. the members II and I2, respectively,l so that the plate, can slide bodily toward and from thecutting members 21 or 29. Upon the upper surface of the plate member l2 is a crimping element 41 having a plurality of alternate ilat top teeth 48 and flat bottom recesses 49,. Asbest shown in Figure 2, the uppersurfaces of the teethv 48 are inclined at an,v acute angle to the horizontal and to the bottoms of the recessesA 49. The bottoms of the recessesllQ, also are inclined atan acute angle to the horizontal. The recesses 49 and teethy 48, respectively, are complemental tothe teeth 59 and recesses 5 I` of anuppercrimping element 52 which is movable towardand awayv from the lower crimping element 411. The upperk pass freely between these elements, as illustrated at the left-hand end of Figure 2.

When the crimping elements 41 and 52 are forced together, the individual splints on the partially severed blank B are forced apart in angular relationship, as illustrated at the right-hand end of Figure 2.

When the blanks B are crimped, as described above, they may be transferred to any desired type of dipping machine 58 for dipping the splints and then transferred to a conventional assembling and stapling device (not shown) All of the operations described generally above must be conducted in a timed sequence so that the cutters 28 and 29 will remain stationary while receiving the match blanks B.

The crimping members 4U and 4| must travel along the rails 45 and 46, crimp the match blanks B, insert them in the clips 59 on the dipping device, release the crimped blanks and return to adjacent the respective cutting elements 21 and 28 intime to receive the next blank B ejected from the cutting device. Also, the cutting devices must be rotated through one-half a revolution between the time that a match blank B is ejected therefrom into the crimper 40 or 4| and the` time another match blank is delivered to the cutter 21 or 28 from the hopper I3.

The mechanism for producing these various movements will now be described.

As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 3, a main drive shaft 6I]I is journaled in the side members I l and I2 o-f the frame I0 and may be driven in any suitable way. The shaft 60 is provided with a heart-shaped cam 6| which is received between the rollers 62 and 63 that are mounted on a cross-bar 64 connected to the yoke 2li. The yoke 29 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 65 adjacent the bottom of the frame I0. Thus, for every revolution of the shaft 6U, the yoke 20 is oscillated back and forth and the pusher member I9 travels across the bottom I4 of the hopper I3 in one direction and returns, thereby ejecting two blanks B in opposite directions.

In order to rotate the cutting members 21 and 28, the ends of the shafts 3| thereof are provided with gears 66 which are connected thereto. by overrunning clutches 61. As shown in Figure 3, the overrunning clutch 6l on the cutter 21 is arranged to rotate the cutter 21 in a clockwise direction only, The overrunning clutch 61 on the cutter 28 is arranged to rotate the cutter 23 in a counter-clockwise direction, only.

The gear 66 on the cutter 21 and the gear 68 on the cutter 28 are rotated by means of the racks 69 and 19. The racks 69 and 10 are slidably mounted on guideways 1| and 12 on the frame member I2 and are reciprocated by means of the bell crank levers 13 and 14 which are urged against the cams 15 and 16 that are mounted on the shaft 6U by means of the springs 15a and 16a. The shapes of the cams 15 and 16 are such that a complete reciprocation of the racks 69 and is obtained in something less than one-half a revolution of the shaft 69. The cams and 16 are so timed that the racks 69 and 10 do not move until a blank B has been ejected from the cutter 21 or 28 driven by the corresponding rack.

The ends of the racks 69 and 10 are connected to the crimping members 40 and 4I, respectively, by means of the links 11 and 18 (Figures 1 and 3). Thus, when the rack 69 is moved to the right by means of the cam 16, the crimper 40 is also moved to the right, while the gear 66 idles with respect to the cutter 21. Upon return movement of the rack 69 to the left, the overrunning clutch 61 is actuated and the cutter 21 is rotated clockwise through one-half a revolution as the crimper 40 returns to a position adjacent the cutter 21. Thereafter, the cam 16 causes the rack to dwell for a sufficient length of time to permit another gllank B to be introduced into the cutting member The cutting member 28 and the crimperl 4I are actuated in a similar manner, but alternately with the movement of the crimper 40 and the cutter 21, inasmuch as the match blanks B are introduced into the cutters 21 and 28 alternately.

In order to actuate the crimping mechanisms 49 and 4I to nrst grip the blanks B, thereafter crimp the blanks and then release the blanks after they have been forced into the clips 59, a separate cam mechanism is provided. The cam mechanism, best shown in Figures 2 and 4, may consist of aligned cam plates 80 and 8| which are mounted upon pairs of rods 82 and 83 that are slidably mounted in bosses 84 and 85 on the frame members il and I2, respectively. The lower ends of the rods i2 and 83 are connected by means of a cross-bar 85 which passes through the slots 81 and 88 in the frame members II and I2. The cam plates 89 and 8| are engageable with the ends of the upper crimping member 52 and are normally spaced from the crimping member 52 when the match blank B is being pushed into the crimping member, as illustrated at the left-hand end of Figure 2.

As soon as the match blank B is received in Ithe crimping member 4I, for example, the cam plates 88 and 8l are lmoved downwardly to cause the crimping elements 41 and 52 to grip the match blank B. r)This downward movement of the cam plates 8l! and 8| is accomplished by means of the cam disks 89 which are mounted upon a shaft 99 journaled in the side members and I2. The cam members 89, as shown in Figure 2, are pro vided with spiral cam slots 9| which receive the pins 92 that project laterally from the lugs 93 on the bottom of the cross-bar 86. The cram disks 89 are connected by means of a link 94 or 95 to suitable cam disks 96 carried by the shaft 60. rI'he cam disks 96 are so designed that they rock the cam disks 89 to move the cam plates 80 and 8| downwardly, immediately after the crimping members receive the partially severed blanks B and before the gripping members 49 or `4I begin to move away from the cutter 21 or 28.

The cam plates 89 and 8| are provided with downwardly inclinded lower cam surfaces 88a or Bia, so that as the crimper 4|, for example,

` travels to the left, the crimping elements 41 and 52 are forced together .to crimp the match blank. When the crimping element 4| has reached the end of its travel towards the left and the web of the blank B is received in a clip 59, the cam disk 89 is rocked by the cam 96 to move the cam plates 89 and 8| upwardly and thereby permit .the crimping elements 41 and 52 to separate and release the crimped blank B. The crimper 4| then is returned to its right-hand position and the dipping device 58 moves another clip 59 into position to receive the next blank.

From lthe foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided a device by means of which match blanks B can be severed,y crimped and transferred at a high rate of speed.

The device has been described as showing its use with two sets of cutting and crimping members, but only one cutter and cr-imperI may be used, if desired.

' The'device has the advantage that each of the match blanks B is guided in its movement, isV retained against twisting and bending during cutting and transfer and thereby is prevented from being damaged.y

It will be understood from the foregoing that the device is susceptible to considerable modification, particularly in its size and in the specific mechanism for operating and timing the various elements thereof. Therefore, the form of the invention described above should be considered as illustrative and not as lim-iting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device for forming book match splints comprising a hopper for receiving a stack of book match blanks, means for ejecting a. blank from said hopper, a cutting member adjacent the hopper having a slot therethrough for receiving said blank and a plurality of spaced apart cutting elements having oppositely directed cutting edges spanning said slot for engaging and cutting said blank into a plurality `of connected strip-s, and means for rotating said cutting member intermittently through half a revolution in timed relation to said ejectin-g means to receive blanks alternately in opposite ends of said slot.

2. A device for forming bock match splints comprising a hopper having a bottom for supporting a stack of match blanks, a cutting member adjacent to said hopper having a plurality of spaced apart cutting elements having oppositely directed cutting edges extending |perpendicular to the plane of said bottom, means supporting said cutting member for rotation, means for pushing a blank from said hopper into engagement with and partially through said cutting elements to sever said blank partially, and means for rotating said cutting member through a half revolution after said blank has been pushed from said hopper into engagement with said cutting elements, whereby the next blank pushed from said hopper will push the partially severed blank out of said cutting member- 3. A device for forming book match splints comprising a hopper having a bottom for supporting a stack of' match blanks, a cutting member adjacent to said hopper having a plurality of spaced apart cutting elements having oppositely directed cutting edges extending perpendicular' to the plane of said bottom, means supporting said cutting member for rotation, means for push-y ing a blank from said hopper into engagement with and partiallyv through said cutting elements to sever said blank partially, means on said cutting member for guiding said blank into said cutting elements, and means for rotating said cutting member through a half revolution after said blank has been pushed from said hopper into engagement with said cutting elements,

whereby the next blank pushed from said hopper4 will push the partially severed 'blank out of said cutting member.

4. A device for forming book match splintsA comprising a hopper having a bottom for supporting a stack of book match blanks, a substantially cylindrical cutting member adjacent the hopper having a diametrical slot therethrough, a plurality of spaced apart knives having oppositely directed cutting edges spanning said slot, means for ejecting a blank from adjacent the bottom of said hopper and pushing it into said slot and against and partially throughr said knives to sever said blank into a plurality ofconnected splints, and means for rotating said cutting mem- 8 ber intermittently through half a revolution in timed relation to the operation of said ejecting means to receive blanks alternately from opposite sides.

5. A device for forming book match splints comprising a hopper having a bottom for supporting a stack of book match blanks, a cutting member adjacent the hopper having a slot therethrough a plurality of spaced apart knives Ispanning saifd slot and having oppositely facing cutting edges disposed within the periphery of said cutting member, means for ejecting a blank from adjacent the bottom of said hopper and pushing vit into said slot and against and partially through said knives to sever said blank into a plurality of connected splints, and means for rotating said cutting member intermittently through half a revolution in timed relation to the operation of said' ejecting means to receive blanks alternately in opposite ends of said slot.

6. A` device for forming book match splints comprising a hopper having a bottom for supporting a stack of book match blanks, suction means in the bottom of said hopper for positioning a blank in contact with said bottom, a cutting member adjacent the hopper having a slot therethrough, a plurality of spaced apart knives having oppositely directed cutting edges spanning said slot, means for electing a blank from adjacent the bottom of said hopper and pushing it into said slot and against and partially through said knives to sever said blank into a plurality of connected splints, and means for rotating said cutting member intermittently through half a revolution in timed relation to the operation of said ejecting means to receive blanks alternately in opposite ends of said slot.

7. A device for cutting book match blanks comprising a hopper having a bottom for supporting a stack oi book match blanks, cutting members rotatably mounted in opposite sidesof said hopper for receiving said blanks alternately, each of said cutting members having a slot therethrough, a plurality of spaced apart knives` span-- ning said' slot, and having oppositely directed cutting edges, a pushing member reciprocable acrossY said bottom to eject a blank from said hopper inY each direction of movement to push the ejected blank against said knives to sever said blank partially only into a series of connected splints and means for rotating said cutting members intermittently through half a revolution in timed relation to the movement of said pushing member -to receive the blanks from opposite sides.

8. A device for forming book match splints comprising a hopper having a bottom for sup-v porting a stack of match blanks, a cutting member Aadjacent to said hopper having a plurality of spaced apart cutting elements having oppositely directed cutting edges extending at substantially a right angle to the plane of said bottom, means supporting said cutting member for rotation, means for pushing a blank from said hopper into engagement with and partially through said knives to sever said blank partially to form connected splints, and means for rotating said cutting member through a half revo-lution in timed relation to the operation of said ejecting means, whereby the next blank pushed from said hopper will push the partially severed blank out of said cutting member.

9; A device for forming match splints comprising a hopper having a bottom for supporting a stack of match blanks, a cutting member adjacent to said hopper having a plurality of spaced apart cutting elements havin-g oppositely directed cutting edges extending at substantially a right angle to the plane of said bottom, means support-J. ing said cutting member for rotation, an ejector 5 member reciprocable across the bottom of said hopper lto push blanks from `said hopper successively into engagement with and partially through said knives to sever each blank partially into a series of connected splints, and means for recip- 10 rocatin-g said ejector member.

SAMUEL E. RAHE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the l5 le of this patent:

Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Touohette June 212, 1886 Sterba et al Dec. 28, 1909 Nimmo June 11, 1912 Whelan Dec, 31, 1912 Dunton Oct. 14, 1913 Nylund Aug. 2.4, 1920 Buckharlt'l Feb. 22, 1921 Huhnd n Sept. 15, 1925 Zomnir Nov. 15, 1927 Coyle Mar. 11, 1930 Grosch July 18, 1933 Huguley Mar. 19, 1935 Jenkins Dec. 12, 1939 

